White Paper on Development and Progress in Xinjiang -Steady Development of Social Programs 

Employment has a vital bearing on people's livelihood. Over the years the Xinjiang government has been committed to the implementation of proactive employment policies and the promotion of employment growth through sustainable economic development. The government has taken effective measures to increase job opportunities and expand the scale of employment. In 2008, a total of 8,475,800 people in Xinjiang were employed. The registered unemployment rate in urban areas was 3.7%. Since the implementation of the western region development strategy, over 300,000 people in Xinjiang have been employed or reemployed each year.

Xinjiang resident Aga Khan welcomes his guests with grapes in Urumqi, capital of Xinjiang, August 27, 2009. [Xinhua]

Uygur females learn computer techniques at a night school at the Urumqi Technology Education Training Center, August 18, 2009. [Xinhua]

People flood a job fair in Urumqi, Xinjiang, August 15, 2009. [Xinhua]

Residents enjoy a bicycle show at the launch ceremony of the Beer and Food street in Usu city, Xinjiang, August 15, 2009. The new street provided free beer for the first three days of its launch. [Xinhua]